Railroad signal device.



T. EVANS.

RAILROAD SIGNAL DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG-3| i9i5' Patented May 23,1 916.

. zu d1zessas. H I 2;: we r: zary way signal citizen of the United States,

, 'rnoivms Evans, or KEOKUK, IOWA.

narnnoan .srennr. DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented May 23, 1916.

Application filed August 3,1915. Serial No. 43,490.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, T-nouas EvAns, a and resident of Keokuk, in the county of Lee and State of Iowa, have invented a certain new and use ful Railroad Signal Device, of which the followingis a specification.

The object of my. invention is to provide a railroad signal device of simple, durable and inexpensive construction.

A further object of my invention is to provide a signal device for railway workers comprising a shell or receptacle having compartments suitably arranged for containing a plurality of signal means.

More particularly it is my object to provide in such a device a shell or receptacle having in one end a source of light, and a colored transparent member in the path of the light from said. source, and having in another portion a plurality of compartments adapted for the storage of torpedoes, a flag, signal means or the like, and having a suitable means for closing all of the last described compartments.

A further object is to provide such a device adapted to serve as a signaling means, and also for the storage and carrying of a variety of other signaling means.

My invention consists in the construction, arrangement, and combination of the parts of the device whereby the objects contemplated are attained as hereinafter more fully set forth pointed out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: I

Figure 1 shows a side elevation of a raildevice embodying my invention. Fig. 2 shows a vertical central longitudinal sectional wire through the same. Fig. 3 shows a vertical transverse sectional view through the same, taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1, and Fig. 4 shows a rear end elevation of my improved device.

In the accompanying drawings, I have used the reference numeral 10 to indicate generally a cylindrical shell, casing or receptacle, having at its forward end a hinged cover member 11, the central portion of which holds a transparent lens or the like, which may be red or of any proper color for signaling. In the lower forward portion of the shell 10 is formed a downwardly projecting compartment 13, adapted to receive a suitable source of light, such as the withdrawing it wardly lamp 14; The lamp 14 may be removed by opening the cover 11 which is hinged at 15, and by lifting the lamp upwardly and then from the casing 10. The downwardly projecting receptacle-18 is provided with ventilating holes receptacle 13 is an upwardly extending cylindrical member 17, on which is a removable cap 18 having similar ventilating openings 19. On the upperportion of the shell 10 is a handle'20. On the interior of the rear portion of the shell 10 are a plurality of semi-cylindrical partitions 21, forming compartments 22. One of the compartments is designed to receive a flag 23 or the like; another to receive torpedoes; and another to receive a red light or the like. Suitably mounted in the rear end of the portion 10 is a cover member 24 having an opening 25, on each'side of -whichare outwardly projecting handle members 26. By rotating the cover 24, the opening 25 may be brought to register with one or either of the compartments 22 for the insertion or removal of the contents thereof. Within the lower and'larger compartment adjacent to the member 24 is a semi-circular partition member 31 covering part only of the end of the lower compartment. When the member 24 is in one position the opening 25 registers with and is closed by the partition 31. Torpedoes may be removed by tilting the front end of the lamp upand letting the torpedoes slide outwardly, and the same operation may be followed for emptying the contents of another compartment. 11 the bottom of the shell 10 are supporting brackets 27 forming supports for holding the position. Between the portion of the shell, which contains the lamp 14 and the portion which has the compartment 22, is a partition member 30 which also'serves as a reflector for the light of the lamp.

My improved signal device is of comparatively simple and inexpensive construction, and is conveniently made for trainmen, switch men and others who handle various signaling means. The light 14 may be used as a signal when desired.

It will be understood that some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my improved railroad signal device, from its essential features and purposes, and

without departing 16. Above the device in its upright within the scope of shell, a lamp said shell for rotating cover member in the it is my intent to cover by this application any such changes which may be included my claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. In a device of the class described, a shell, supporting members thereon for holding the shell in upright position, a handle on said compartment near one end of holding a source of light, a transparent member in front of said compartment, a plurality of elongated compartments in the other end of said lamp for receiving signaling means, and a partition between the portion of the shell having the lamp compartment and the portion having the signaling receiving compartment.

2. In a device of the class described, a shell, supporting members thereon for holding theshell in upright position, a handle on said shell, a lamp compartment near one end of said shell for holding a source of light, a transparent member in front of said compartment, a plurality of elongated compartments in the other end of said lamp or receiving signaling means, a partition between the portion of the shell having the lamp compartmentand the portion having the signaling receiving compartment, and a shell opposite said transparent member havend of said pos tion for registering with the end of the other of said elongated compartments.

3 In a device of the class described, a shell, supporting members thereon for holding the shell in upright position, a handle on said shell, a lamp compartment near one end of said shell for holding a source of light, a transparent member in front of said conipartment, a plurality of elongated compartments in the other end of said lamp for receiving signaling means, a partition between the portion of the shell having the lamp compartment and the portion having the signaling receiving compartment, a rotating cover member in the end of said shell opposite said transparent member having an opening adapted to be moved to position for registering with the end of the other of said elongated compartments, a cylindrical extension above said lamp holding compartment, and a removable perforated cap thereon, a removable cap for holding said transparent member detach'ably mounted on said shell.

Des Moines, Iowa, July 8, 1915.

THOMAS EVANS. lVitnesses:

VVILLIAM B. WooLLnY, FRED G. GLAsER.

Copies 0! this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents Wash1ngton,D.C. V 

